Fresh fears of water rationing as storm Emma clean-up is under way

Widespread water rationing in Dublin is a possibility as the thaw sets in across the country.

Widespread water rationing in Dublin is a possibility as the thaw sets in across the country.

In the Greater Dublin Area, Irish Water saw an increase of more than 10pc in demand from Friday until yesterday.

Three major bursts in the North Docklands, Infirmary Road and Skerries areas were wasting the equivalent of the daily water usage of Balbriggan, which has a population of more than 20,000.

However, they have been repaired.

Tommy Thompson and his son Andrew shovel snow in Kilteel Road, Co Dublin

Irish Water said it is working with local authorities around the county to minimise the risk to customers and restore full drinking water supply.

It is trying to minimise the impact of restrictions by confining them to night-time hours where possible.

The warning came as a Dublin woman, who said she had been forced to boil snow to make up bottles for her baby son after her water was cut off during Storm Emma, was finally reached by council staff yesterday.

Nappies

Rachael Collins (21) had been snowed in at her home in Bohernabreena, Co Dublin, with her parents, two brothers, boyfriend and seven-month-old son since Wednesday as up to eight foot of snow accumulated in their driveway.

However, council staff - assisted by members of Rachael's family - managed to reach her yesterday afternoon, allowing her to get to the shops for nappies and baby food.